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DR.  SPRING’S 

SERMON 

BEFORE  THE 

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AMERICAN  BOARD  OF 

COMMISSIONERS 

FOR 

FOREIGN  MISSIONS. 

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THE  WILL  OF  GOD  PERFORMED  ON  EARTH 


A 

SERMON 

PREACHED  AT  UTICA,  N.  Y.  OCT.  8,  1834, 


BEFORE  THE 


AMERICAN  BOARD  OF  COMMISSIONERS 


FOR 


FOREIGN  MISSIONS, 


AT  THEIR 


TWENTY- FIFTH  ANNUAL  MEETING. 


BY  GARDINER  SPRING,  D.  D. 

PASTOR  OF  THE  BRICK  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY  OF  NEW  YORK. 


BOSTON : 

PRINTED  BY  CROCKER  AND  BREWSTER, 
47  Washington  Street. 

1835. 


1 


' 


[I  ajxjti** 


. 

. 


Matt.  vi.  10. 

Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven  ! 


This  petition  is  from  the  lips  of  One  who  him- 
self came  to  seek  and  save  that  which  was  lost. 
It  speaks  the  emotions  of  the  Savior’s  heart  toward 
the  heathen.  He  thought  of  them,  when  he  left 
his  people  this  form  of  prayer. 

The  phrase,  the  will  of  God,  denotes  both  the 
divine  law  and  the  divine  purpose.  The  divine 
law  includes  all  that  God  requires;  the  divine 
purpose  all  that  he  means  should  take  place.  The 
divine  law  is  the  rule  of  action  to  accountable 
agents, — every  where  commanding  what  is  right, 
and  prohibiting  what  is  wrong;  the  divine  purpose 
is  a rule  of  action  to  no  being  in  the  universe,  save 
God  himself,  and  expresses  no  legal  authority  and 
no  moral  obligation  whatever.  The  former  re- 
spects the  conduct  of  intelligent  agents  as  right  or 
wrong  in  its  own  nature;  the  latter  has  respect  to 
events,  and  is  concerned  with  the  consequences,  of 


4 


human  conduct,  with  which  a rule  of  action  has 
nothing  to  do.  The  divine  purpose,  or  the  de- 
cretal will  of  God,  is  accomplished  as  really,  as 
extensively,  as  perfectly  on  the  earth,  as  it  is  in 
heaven;  and  it  were  absurd  to  offer  a prayer  that 
calls  in  question  this  great  truth.  But  the  pre- 
ceptive will  of  God  is  accounted  as  a strange 
thing — is  abused  and  vilified;  and  however  ven- 
erated in  higher  and  purer  worlds,  is  despised  and 
trampled  on  on  earth.  It  is  this  great  moral  code, 
as  revealed  in  the  precepts  and  prohibitions  of  the 
Bible,  to  which  our  text  refers.  That  this  may  be 
performed  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven,  is  a very 
proper,  as  well  as  unutterably  important  object  of 
supplication.  In  illustrating  and  enforcing  the 
import  of  this  petition,  therefore,  on  the  present 
occasion,  my  design  is, 

To  show  how  the  will  of  God  is  done  in  heaven; 
and 

Why  it  is  desirable  that  it  should  be  thus  done 
on  the  earth.  My 

First  object  is  to  show  how  the  will  of  God  is 
done  in  heaven. 

Heaven  is  a section  of  the  divine  empire,  and  as 
really  and  as  much  under  the  binding  force  of  law, 
as  any  other  part  of  God’s  dominions.  The  same 
God  exists  and  governs  there,  that  exists  and 
governs  here.  He  is  the  Creator,  Benefactor,  and 
Lawgiver  of  heaven,  as  well  as  of  earth.  In  that 
invisible  world,  there  are  essentially  the  same 
moral  relations  of  intelligent  beings,  and  the  same 
laws  founded  on  those  relations,  which  exist  in  this 
lower  world.  The  origin  of  moral  obligation, 


5 


therefore,  the  principle  and  foundation  of  moral 
rectitude,  are  one  and  the  same  in  both  worlds; 
and  hence  the  standard,  the  rule  by  which  the 
moral  conduct  of  intelligent  creatures  is  regulated, 
is  the  same  in  both.  And  in  heaven,  its  existence 
and  obligations  are  not  only  acknowledged  and 
felt,  but  obeyed  as  in  no  other  world. 

All  the  obligations  of  the  divine  law  are  there 
fulfilled.  Every  precept  and  every  prohibition  is 
there  regarded  with  reverence  and  love.  The 
divine  will  is  done  in  all  its  parts.  All  those 
affections  of  mind  which  are  due  from  creatures  to 
their  creator,  from  subjects  to  their  supreme  Lord, 
from  pensioners  upon  the  divine  bounty  to  the  first 
and  best  Benefactor,  and  from  redeemed  sinners  to 
their  all-sufficient  and  gracious  Redeemer,  are 
there  enkindled  and  sustained.  All  that  is  elevat- 
ing and  joyful  in  complacency  and  delight  in  the 
divine  character  and  administrations;  all  that  fills 
and  overpowers  the  soul  with  admiration  of  God’s 
wonderful  works;  all  that  is  amiable  and  lovely  in 
that  lowliness  and  sweetness  of  mind  which  are 
characteristic  of  those  who  veil  their  faces  in  the 
divine  presence;  all  that  is  peaceful  in  resignation, 
and  joyous  in  gratitude,  is  there  mingled  and 
blended  in  an  obedience  which  expresses  all  the 
beauties  of  holiness.  There  are  no  rival  deities 
there,  and  no  idolatry  to  subvert  the  throne  of  the 
Most  High.  There  is  no  profanity,  irreverence,  or 
lightness,  either  of  thought,  word,  or  deed;  but 
every  expression  of  reverence  and  filial  fear. 
There  is  no  violation  of  the  sabbath  there;  but  that 
glorious  world  is  one  vast  temple,  and  its  revolving 
ages  are  one  everlasting  day  of  holy  rest.  There 


G 


are  no  infringements  upon  tiie  claims  of  social 
piety, — no  relation  inverted, — no  tie  torn  asunder, 
— no  principle  of  subordination  destroyed, — but 
the  vast  assembly  exhibits  a picture  of  peace  and 
concord,  of  harmony  and  affection,  which  nothing 
destroys  or  interrupts.  There  is  no  murderous 
hand  or  malignant  heart  there;  no  harshness,  or 
cruelty;  no  furious  and  revengeful  passions;  no 
unkindness,  or  even  criminal  inattention  and  negli- 
gence. There  is  no  licentiousness,  nor  impurity; 
no  depredation  or  fraud;  no  locks  nor  bars;  and 
no  suspicions  of  dishonesty.  There  is  no  lying 
tongue,  nor  covetous  desire;  but  truth,  that  strong 
bond  of  society — that  firm  foundation  of  confi- 
dence and  intercourse,  remains  inviolate;  and 
every  inordinate  desire  is  superseded  by  that 
chastened,  subdued  spirit,  that  secures  uninter- 
rupted tranquillity  and  repose.  Heaven  presents 
the  noblest,  the  sublimest,  the  loveliest  character 
in  the  universe.  It  is  uniform,  consistent,  com- 
plete, and  entire.  It  has  no  blemishes;  no  cloud, 
nor  shadow  in  its  horizon;  no  spots  on  its  disk; 
no  waxing  and  wining  light;  but  a steady,  pure, 
and  full-orbed  splendor. 

The  will  of  God  is  also  obeyed  in  heaven  by  all 
its  inhabitants.  There  may  be  and  probably  are, 
great  diversities  of  rank,  as  well  as  different  orders 
of  intelligence  in  the  heavenly  world;  for  “there 
are  thrones  and  dominions,  and  principalities  and 
powers.”  Heaven  is  an  immense  family,  large 
and  extended  beyond  our  highest  conceptions.  It 
is  not  improbable  that  that  amazing  world  exceeds 
in  extent  and  variety,  in  splendor  and  glory,  all 
other  worlds  and  systems  combined.  But  the 


7 


same  spirit  pervades  the  whole.  The  unnumbered 
hosts  of  the  unfallen,  whatever  be  their  diversity  of 
rank  and  condition,  together  with  the  countless 
multitudes  of  the  redeemed,  wherever  their  resi- 
dence may  be  determined  in  this  endless  empire, 
possess  the  same  sacred  and  elevated  character. 
Though  augmented  from  generation  to  generation 
to  a multitude  which  no  man  can  number,  yet  is 
there  no  jar  in  their  society,  and  no  discord  in 
their  song.  Within  the  vast  compass  of  this 
immense  population — throughout  all  these  unex- 
plored regions — amid  the  whole  of  this  vast  as- 
semblage of  existencies,  from  the  highest  to  the 
lowest,  there  is  not  one  whose  bosom  does  not 
glow  with  holy  ardor  to  do  the  will  of  God.  One 
base  and  selfish  mind  would  poison  these  sources 
of  joy.  But  there  is  “nothing  there  that  defileth.” 
Over  all  that  sublime  and  magnificent  system, 
lighted  up  with  stars  and  orbs  differing  from  one 
another  in  glory,  there  is  no  lawless  planet — no  un- 
subjugated province — no  land  of  darkness — no  pa- 
gan island — no  habitation  of  cruelty — no  revolting 
heart:  nothing  to  destroy  the  moral  harmony  of  the 
sphere,  or  to  introduce  contusion  and  anarchy 
among  its  inhabitants. 

In  heaven,  the  will  of  God  is  likewise  obeyed 
with  unfeigned  sincerity  and  cheerfulness.  Obe- 
dience is  not  a yoke  at  which  those  pure  and  holy 
spirits  reluctate,  but  a service  in  every  view  plea- 
sant and  agreeable.  The  divine  will  is  there 
obeyed  from  the  heart.  The  law  which  governs 
them,  governs  their  outward  conduct  by  first  gov- 
erning their  “willing  and  warm  affections.”  No 
formal  sacrifice  is  offered  on  that  altar.  There 


8 


are  no  pensiveness  and  gloom  there,  but  every 
thing  that  is  buoyant  and  cheerful.  It  is  not  the 
cold  and  cheerless  sense  of  duty — the  heavy  bond 
of  obligation — the  solemn  sanction  of  law  merely, 
that  constrains  their  acquiescence;  it  is  the  sweeter, 
stronger  cord  of  love,  irresistibly  fascinating  them 
with  its  charms,  and  drawing  their  willing,  grati- 
fied minds  as  “with  the  bands  of  a man.”  In  this 
lower  world,  religion  is  like  an  exotic  plant — con- 
fined, stinted,  and  depressed.  Nay,  it  is  often  a 
meagre,  ungainly,  haggard  thing.  It  partakes  of 
the  cold  and  cheerless  soil  on  which  it  grows.  It 
never  arrives  at  maturity,  and  not  unfrequently 
blooms  to  fade.  But  in  heaven,  it  possesses  a 
purity  of  transparent  splendor,  a beauty  of  tran- 
scendent brightness,  such  as  no  pencil  can  paint, 
and  no  poetry  describe.  It  is  no  depressed  and 
drooping  floweret,  but  a scion  from  the  Tree  of 
Life,  luxuriant  and  fair,  fragrant  with  blossoms, 
and  yielding  its  fruit  every  month.  I had  almost 
said,  it  is  the  mirth  of  heaven  to  obey  the  statutes 
of  its  King.  The  employment  nourishes  and 
draws  toward  it  all  then  ardor  and  sensibility. 
Even  the  imagination,  that  wandering  faculty, 
which  contributes  so  much  to  the  happiness  and 
misery  of  men  on  the  earth,  which  is  the  sport  of 
temptation,  and  the  plaything  of  the  arch  deceiver, 
there  exerts  its  magic  and  hallowed  influence,  ever 
supplying  the  materials  for  some  new  work  of 
benevolence,  some  new  purpose  of  devotement  to 
God,  some  new  scene  of  still  more  gratified  holi- 
ness and  exquisite  joy.  Their  obedience  is  indeed 
the  obedience  of  intelligence,  thought,  and  pur- 
pose; but  it  is  also  the  winged  obedience  of  emo- 


9 


tion  and  desire.  It  is  the  obedience  of  love. 
Love  is  the  element  in  which  celestial  spirits 
breathe.  Love  is  the  soul  of  heaven, — strong  and 
urgent,  “swift  to  do  his  will,  hearkening  to  the 
voice  of  his  word.”  I may  add, 

In  heaven  the  will  of  God  is  done  perfectly  and 
for  ever.  “We  shall  be  like  him,  for  we  shall  see 
him  as  he  is.”  Heaven  is  full  of  God.  The 
wonders  of  creation,  providence,  and  grace,  replete 
with  exhibitions  of  the  Deity,  there  arrest,  and 
elevate,  and  transform  the  soul.  The  reasons  and 
motives  of  the  divine  conduct  are  there  disclosed, 
clearly  discerned  by  their  enlightened  understand- 
ings, and  delightfully  enjoyed  by  their  holy  hearts. 
There  the  method  of  redemption  by  Jesus  Christ, 
throwing  its  light  upward  from  this  lower  w'orld, 
becomes  the  mirror  which  reflects  the  loveliest 
and  most  radiant  of  the  divine  glories.  If  holy 
minds  advance  in  holiness  as  they  dwell  in  light, 
and  if  their  holiness  is  perfect  in  proportion  to 
their  knowledge,  then  is  there  in  that  luminous 
W'orld  a constant  and  resistless  flow  of  holy  affec- 
tion, “clear  as  crystal,  proceeding  out  of  the 
throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb.”  There  are  no 
seasons  of  spiritual  langor  and  declension  there. 
No  wandering  thought,  no  vain  desire,  no  sinful 
emotion,  there  creeps  into  the  soul.  There  is  no 
backwardness  nor  unfruitfulness  there;  but  all  the 
activity  and  fervor  which  the  souls  of  its  exalted 
inhabitants  are  capable  of  exercising.  There  is 
no  weariness  nor  satiety;  but  the  ten  thousand 
times  ten  thousand,  and  thousands  of  thousands, 
cease  not,  day  nor  night,  saying  one  to  another, 
“Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God  Almighty;”  and 


10 


never  rest  from  their  everlasting  anthems  of  praise. 
Eternity  rolls  on,  and  “he  that  is  holy,  is  holy 
still.” 

Thus  is  the  will  of  God  done  in  heaven;  in  all 
its  parts,  by  every  individual,  sincerely  and  cheer- 
fully, perfectly  and  for  ever.  We  proceed  to  the 

Second  object  of  our  discourse,  which  is  to 
show  why  it  is  desirable  that  it  should  be  thus 
obeyed  on  earth. 

For  this  Jesus  Christ  has  taught  his  disciples  in 
every  age  of  the  world  to  pray;  “Thy  will  be 
done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven!'1’’  If  there  is 
any  meaning  in  this  petition,  it  involves  the  idea 
that  it  is  greatly  desirable  that  the  will  of  God 
should  be  thus  obeyed  on  earth.  In  illustrating 
this  part  of  our  subject,  we  begin  by  remarking, 

That  the  divine  law  is  no  less  binding  on  earth 
than  it  is  in  heaven.  Its  obligations  are  real,  and 
binding  every  where,  throughout  the  whole  range  of 
God’s  dominions.  Wherever  thinking  beings  ex- 
ist, whatever  may  be  their  condition  and  the  gra- 
dations of  their  intellectual  capacity,  they  are  all 
bound  by  the  same  rule  of  action.  Nor  can  it  be 
otherwise,  if  we  consider  whence  the  rule  ema- 
nates, or  what  it  enjoins.  Whatever  demands 
obedience  to  its  requisitions  from  one  individual, 
demands  it  .from  another;  whatever  demands  it 
from  angels  demands  it  from  men;  and  whatever 
demands  it  from  one  world  of  intelligent  agents, 
demands  it  from  all  worlds.  T he  same  natural, 
moral,  and  legal  obligations  exist  on  earth  which 
exist  in  heaven.  Nor  is  there  any  more  excuse  for 


11 


disobedience  on  earth  than  for  disobedience  in 
heaven.  When  the  first  sin  was  committed  in 
heaven,  the  vile  perpetrators  were  sunk  instantly  to 
the  lake  of  fire;  so  when  the  first  sin  was  com- 
mitted on  the  earth,  scarcely  was  the  foul  deed 
perpetrated,  than  the  ashamed  transgressors,  con- 
scious of  their  guilt,  would  fain  have  lied  from  the 
face  of  their  Maker.  Every  man  feels  that,  should 
iniquity  again  invade  the  celestial  Paradise,  it 
could  not  be  palliated  in  tbe  least  degree.  It  al- 
ters not  the  nature  of  transgression  that  it  is  com- 
mitted on  the  eastern  or  western  hemisphere  of 
this  terraqueous  globe;  nor  that  it  is  committed  in 
the  celestial  or  terrestrial  sphere;  in  time  or  in  eter- 
nity; it  is  the  same  sinful  thing  in  both;  in  both 
criminal,  and  equally  without  excuse.  Not  until 
the  inhabitants  of  earth  can  destroy  the  divine  ex- 
istence, or  their  own,  can  they  dissolve,  suspend, 
or  at  all  impair  their  obligations  to  do  tbe  will  of 
God,  as  sincerely,  fully,  and  perfectly  as  it  is  done 
in  heaven.  Besides, 

It  is  as  reasonable  that  the  will  of  God  should 
be  done  on  earth,  as  that  it  should  be  done  in 
heaven.  The  considerations  which  show  that  it  is 
reasonable  in  one,  show  that  it  is  reasonable  in 
the  other.  In  neither  does  it  transcend  the  rights 
and  prerogatives  of  the  righteous  and  sovereign 
Lawgiver;  and  in  both  it  is  itself  “holy,  just,  and 
good.”  Whatever  dispositions  of  heart  toward 
God  and  man  are  in  themselves  right  and  reason- 
able, and  commend  themselves  to  an  enlightened 
conscience,  and  to  the  inspecting  eye  of  infinite 
purity,  the  word  of  God  requires;  and  it  forbids 
nothing  but  absolute,  detestable  wickedness. 


12 


Wickedness  is  always  unreasonable,  wherever  it  is 
found;  and  there  is  nothing  so  reasonable,  so  beau- 
tiful, so  lovely  in  the  universe,  as  obedience  to 
God.  It  is  impossible  there  should  be  too  much  of 
it  in  any  world,  or  too  much  required.  Too  pure 
and  too  accurate  a rule  of  duty  there  cannot  be; 
nor  can  men  on  the  earth,  any  more  than  the  an- 
gels in  heaven,  be  directed  by  it  with  too  much 
uncompromising  exactness.  What  being  in  the 
universe  could  view  the  statutes  of  the  divine 
kingdom  with  undiminished  respect  and  reverence 
if  they  connived  at  the  least  moral  obliquity? 
What  would  be  thought  of  the  adorable  Lawgiver 
if  he  should  adapt  his  claims  to  the  perverse  and 
perverted  inclinations  of  men?  The  demands  of 
the  Bible  are  determined  and  graduated  by  the  ca- 
pacities of  those  to  whom  they  are  addressed,  and 
the  means  and  opportunities  they  enjoy  of  becom- 
ing acquainted  with  their  duty.  “To  him  that 
knoweth  to  do  good,  and  doeth  it  not,  to  him  it  is 
sin.”  Men,  though  benighted  and  fallen,  are  crea- 
tures of  thought  and  reflection;  they  have  under- 
standing and  conscience  as  well  as  the  angels. 
And  think  of  the  means  of  holiness  with  which 
they  are  furnished.  All  that  is  attractive  in  the 
divine  law;  all  that  is  instructive  in  the  truths  of  a 
supernatural  revelation;  all  that  is  allurin':  in 
the  promises,  and  fearful  in  the  threatenings,  of 
the  gospel;  all  that  is  affecting  in  the  dispensations 
of  a merciful  and  disciplinary  Providence;  all  that 
is  convincing  in  conscience  and  the  Spirit  of  God; 
combine  their  force  to  lead  them  to  a devoted  obe- 
dience. Here,  too,  God  is  reconciling  the  world 
to  himself  by  Jesus  Christ.  O,  what  a flood  of 


13 


light!  what  a pressure,  what  urgency  of  motive — 
what  a view  of  God  in  the  person  of  his  Son!  It 
is  true  that  the  inhabitants  of  earth  are  dependent 
for  holiness;  and  so  are  the  inhabitants  of  heaven. 
And  if  they  were  not,  we  have  not  now  to  learn 
that  a creature’s  dependence  does  not  diminish  the 
force  of  his  obligations,  nor  render  it  less  reason- 
able and  proper  that  every  man  should  do  his  duty. 
It  is  true  that  men  are  creatures  of  sense,  and  ac- 
cessible to  a thousand  snares.  And  so  was  Jesus 
Christ;  and  yet  in  his  human  nature  he  perfectly 
obeyed  the  law  of  God.  From  the  beginning  to 
the  close  of  his  life  he  transgressed  in  nothing. 
Men  would  be  subjected  to  no  temptations  that  are 
irresistible,  had  they  a right  moral  disposition. 
And  where  would  be  the  force  of  obligation,  if 
temptation  could  annihilate  or  relax  the  bonds  of 
moral  government?  It  is  altogether  reasonable, 
therefore,  that  the  will  of  God  should  be  done  on 
earth  as  it  is  in  heaven.  Why  is  it  not  reasonable? 
Is  it  reasonable  for  the  immortal  princess  of  the 
divine  kingdom  to  obey  their  Sovereign — and  is  it 
unreasonable  for  man?  Shall  those  bright  parta- 
kers of  the  divine  glory  be  under  obligations  of 
perfect  rectitude,  and  shall  men  be  exempted  front 
the  bond?  Shall  those  favored  attendants  at  the 
heavenly  court  “consent  to  the  law  that  it  is 
good;”  and  shall  poor  abject,  fallen  man,  contend 
with  God,  and  complain  that  “his  ways  are  not 
equal?”  We  may  remark  also  that, 

Perfect  obedience  to  the  will  of  God  would 
produce  the  same  degree  of  happiness  on  earth  that 
it  produces  in  heaven.  The  foundation  on  which 
the  happiness  of  thinking  beings  rests  is  their  obe- 


14 


dience  to  the  will  of  God.  Heaven  is  the  seat  of 
supreme  and  unmingled  blessedness,  because  it 
has  a holy  character.  Individually  and  relatively, 
as  parts  and  as  a whole,  men  would  be  supremely 
happy,  if  they  were  perfectly  holy.  Experience 
and  observation  evince  the  happy  effects,  even  of 
the  very  partial  and  imperfect  holiness  which  good 
men  possess  in  the  present  life.  What  new  affec- 
tions and  hopes,  what  divine  peace  and  joy,  are 
imparted  to  the  soul,  when  that  moral  transforma- 
tion which  terminates  in  the  sinless  purity  of  the 
heavenly  world  is  but  begun!  When  first  the  heart 
is  dissolved  with  the  mild  influences  of  the  Spirit 
of  grace,  when  once  it  is  imbued  with  the  love  of 
God  and  man,  what  sweet  repose  possesses  it! 
Its  struggles  for  a while  seem  to  be  over.  It  has 
peace  with  God,  and  peace  with  all  men.  Its 
alarms  of  conscience  are  still.  And  not  until  the 
workings  of  iniquity  revive,  do  these  joys  pass 
away.  And  when,  in  his  progressive  career  of 
sanctification,  the  regenerated  man  becomes  more 
holy,  and  the  power  of  indwelling  corruption  is 
gradually  broken  and  prostrate,  how  does  his  light 
break  in  as  the  morning,  and  his  joys  become  like 
the  “spring  tide  which  overflows  its  banks!”  Wit- 
ness the  blessedness  of  David  and  Paul,  of  White- 
field  and  Payson,  when  their  transported  spirits 
broke  forth  in  ecstasies,  and  complained  of  this 
prison-house  of  clay.  Measures  of  happiness 
like  these,  a frame  of  mind  even  thus  calm  and 
joyous,  were  a prelibation  of  heaven.  If  the  earth 
on  W'hieh  we  dwell  were  imbued  with  no  holier  a 
spirit  than  this,  who  does  not  see  that  it  would  be 
an  exquisitely  happy  world5  But  if,  instead  of 


15 


being  thus  imperfect,  its  numerous  inhabitants 
possessed  the  pure  character  of  heaven,  how 
nearly  resembling  heaven  would  be  their  joy! 
Over  all  the  regions  of  the  globe  would  every 
pulse  beat,  every  heart  throb,  and  every  tongue 
vibrate,  to  the  claims  of  holy  love.  Disorder  and 
tumult  would  be  unknown;  the  rod  of  the  oppres- 
sor would  be  broken;  and  injustice  and  war  would 
no  more  ravage  the  habitations  of  men.  Indi- 
vidual quietness,  domestic  discord,  and  social  joy, 
would  change  the  face  of  human  society  in  every 
land.  Universal  peace  and  love,  every  where 
mingling  themselves  with  the  lustre  and  loveliness 
of  purer  worlds,  would  every  where  light  up  the 
abodes  of  this  hitherto  depraved,  benighted,  and 
miserable  creation;  and  nothing  would  be  seen  but 
spectacles  of  loveliness  and  beauty,  and  nothing 
heard  but  the  voice  of  joy  and  praise.  How  clear, 
transparent,  and  serene  the  light  that  would  then 
be  diffused  over  the  creation — how  rapturous  the 
flame  that  would  glow  in  every  bosom — how  thrill- 
ing the  emotion  that  would  enliven  every  song! 
What  a picture  of  the  bosom  of  angels  would  be 
the  sweet  tranquillity  of  every  child  of  Adam! 
Like  what  a “sea  of  glass”  would  the  minds  of 
men  become — everywhere  placid  and  unruffled, 
and  reflecting  the  colors  of  the  rainbow  about  the 
throne!  What  a world!  when  God  shall  thus 
create  Jerusalem  a rejoicing,  and  her  people  a joy; 
and  when,  compared  with  this  new  spiritual  crea- 
tion, the  former  heavens  and  the  former  earth  shall 
not  be  remembered  nor  come  into  mind.  Were 
the  benevolent  aims  and  tendencies  of  obedience 
obtained,  men  would  possess  the  happiness  of 


16 


angels,  and  earth  become  the  miniature  of  heaven. 
I may  also  remark, 

God  would  be  as  much  honored  and  glorified 

hy  the  obedience  of  his  creatures  on  earth , as  he 

is  honored  and  glorified  by  the  obedience  of  his 

creatures  in  heaven.  That  he  is  eminently  exalted 

•/ 

by  the  sinless  perfection  of  the  heavenly  world, 
none  are  disposed  to  question.  His  existence  and 
supremacy,  his  government  and  providence,  his 
purity  and  justice,  his  goodness  and  mercy,  are 
there  honored  and  magnified;  and  the  full  glory 
of  his  character,  reflected  in  the  sinless  obedience 
of  its  countless  inhabitants,  there  shines  in  progres- 
sive resplendency.  Every  tongue  there  speaks 
well  of  God;  every  mind  sees  him  as  he  is;  every 
heart  loves  and  exalts  him;  and  the  only  emula- 
tion is  to  ascribe  the  highest  honors  to  his  name. 

And  may  not  men  on  the  earth  honor  and  exalt 
God  in  the  same  way,  and  by  the  same  means? 
Whoever  tarnished  the  divine  glory  by  doing  the 
divine  will?  Where  did  holiness  ever  dishonor 
that  holy  Lord  God?  What  way  of  honoring  him 
has  ever  been  discovered  by  the  lights  of  nature 
and  reason,  or  is  revealed  in  the  Scriptures,  other 
than  obeying  his  commandments?  All  the  ten- 
dencies of  obedience  are  to  honor  and  exalt  him, 
while  all  the  tendencies  of  transgression  are  inva- 
riably to  dishonor  and  degrade  him.  There  is 
nothing  by  which  men  can  in  any  degree  honor 
and  exalt  God,  except  doing  his  will.  To  love 
and  obey  him,  is  the  first  duty  of  every  rational 
creature;  and  when  the  same  spirit  of  perfect  alle- 
giance glows  in  the  bosom  of  men  which  glows  in 
the  bosoms  of  angels,  the  same  enlivened  adora- 


17 


tions  will  animate  all  their  services,  and  God  the 
Creator  and  Redeemer  will  receive  the  same  glory 
and  honor,  thanksgiving  and  power,  which  are 
paid  to  him  by  the  pure  spirits  before  the  celestial 
altar. 

Conceive  of  the  spirit  of  perfect  obedience  to 
the  divine  will  pervading  this  lower  world.  Be- 
hold these  creatures  of  God,  in  all  their  multitude, 
in  all  their  variety  of  condition  and  place,  and  in 
all  the  gradations  of  their  intellectual  endowment, 
all  regarding  him  with  the  highest  veneration  and 
love,  and  conducting  themselves  toward  one  anoth- 
er as  toward  brethren  of  the  same  vast  family. 
See  them  doing  the  will  of  God  as  it  is  done 
in  heaven — failing  in  no  precept — never  varying 
from  this  standard  of  perfect  rectitude — unceasing- 
ly devoted  to  their  duty,  and  from  the  best  spirit — 
chargeable  with  nothing  that  can  be  condemned 
or  reproached;  and  how  would  the  Spirit  and 
glory  of  God  overlay  this  renovated  creation!  No 
longer  would  his  character  be  defamed,  his  gov- 
ernment impugned,  his  designs  impeached  and 
opposed,  nor  his  honors  taken  from  him;  but  every 
W'here  would  he  be  brought  forward  to  the  view  of 
men,  and  every  where  acknowledged  as  God  over 
all,  blessed  for  ever.  No  longer  w'ould  the  kings 
of  the  earth  take  counsel  against  the  Lord,  and 
against  his  anointed;  but  princes  and  subjects, 
young  men  and  maidens,  old  men  and  children, 
would  give  him  the  honor  which  is  his  due.  His 
name  would  be  great  among  the  heathen,  and  in 
every  place  incense  and  a pure  offering  w'ould  be 
offered  on  his  altar.  But  I will  add, 

3 


18 


In  some  respects,  God  is  even  more  honored  hij 
the  obedience  of  earth  than  by  the  obedience  of 
heaven.  The  planet  on  which  we  dwell  is  a 
peculiar  world.  There  are  no  such  expressions 
of  the  divine  goodness  made  to  any  other  world, 
as  are  made  to  this.  No  where  does  this  lovely 
attribute  assume  the  form  of  grace,  and  make  its 
highest  expressions  of  favor  to  the  guilty,  except 
to  men.  No  where  does  it  flow  through  such  a 
channel — the  death  and  sacrifice  of  the  Lord  In- 
carnate. And  to  no  such  expressions  of  his  good- 
ness are  so  many  events  in  the  universe  rendered 
subservient,  as  to  these.  Hence,  when  men  on 
the  earth  become  holy,  they  are  a peculiar  people, 
and  show  forth  the  glory  of  Him  who  has  brought 
them  out  of  darkness  into  his  marvellous  light. 
They  differ  from  all  other  beings  in  the  universe. 
They  bear  a relation  to  Jesus  Christ  nearer,  dear- 
er, and  more  exalted  than  the  angels  who  never 
fell.  They  are  the  purchase  of  his  blood,  and 
the  reward  of  his  sufferings  and  death.  In  all 
their  untold  and  unceasing  multitudes,  and  from 
generation  to  generation,  they  are  fallen  by  their 
iniquity,  and  reclaimed  only  by  his  incarnation  and 
sacrifice,  by  the  agency  of  his  Spirit,  and  the  in- 
strumentality of  his  truth.  Others  have  been 
created  and  preserved;  these  have  been  redeemed 
and  sanctified.  Others  have  been  sustained  in 
their  primitive  integrity;  these  arc  perfect  through 
the  comeliness  which  he  has  put  upon  them,  and 
possess  a beauty  and  loveliness  surpassing  the 
excellence  of  the  unfallen.  As  penitent  and 
believing  sinners,  they  have  traits  of  character 
which  the  unfallen  cannot  have;  moral  relations 


19 


which  the  unfallen  cannot  know;  moral  percep- 
tions and  emotions  which  the  unfallen  cannot 
feel;  joys  to  which  the  unfallen  are  strangers;  and 
a song  in  which  the  unfallen  can  never  unite. 
God  is  glorified  by  the  obedience  of  the  unfallen; 
but  their  love  and  admiration  flow  forth  in  none 
of  the  forms  peculiar  to  redeemed  sinners.  We 
are  told  that  “there  is  joy  in  heaven  over  one 
sinner  that  repenteth,  more  than  over  ninety  and 
nine  just  persons  that  need  no  repentance.”  And 
who  does  not  see,  that  when  such  a population 
becomes  holy,  such  rebels  become  children,  such 
outcasts  heirs  of  God;  there  is  glory  to  God  in  the 
highest  degree?  At  such  a spectacle,  well  might 
the  pure  and  incorporeal  spirits  before  the  throne 
exclaim,  “Holy,  holy,  holy  is  the  Lord  God  of 
hosts;  the  whole  earth  is  full  of  his  glory!”  When 
it  is  seen  and  known  to  principalities  and  powers 
in  heavenly  places,  that  in  defiance  of  the  machi- 
nations of  the  prince  of  darkness,  and  the  invinci- 
ble depravity  of  man,  the  kingdom  of  Christ  and 
the  empire  of  mercy  are  triumphant;  what  honors 
will  be  recovered  to  the  Great  Supreme,  of  which 
he  has  been  so  long  defrauded;  what  expressions 
of  power  and  purity,  justice  and  mercy,  supremacy 
and  wisdom,  in  impressiveness  and  beauty  hither- 
to unequalled,  will  cover  the  earth  as  the  waters 
cover  the  sea!  How  will  the  mountains  echo  it  to 
the  valleys,  and  the  valleys  roll  it  back  again  to 
the  mountains,  that  the  Lord  God  omnipotent 
reigneth!  How  will  one  continent  proclaim  it  to 
another,  and  the  ocean  waft  it  to  the  main,  that 
the  “kingdoms  of  this  world  are  become  the  king- 
doms of  our  Lord  and  his  Christ!”  And  what 


20  ’ 


ascriptions  of  honor,  what  mighty  thunderings  of 
praise,  in  one  grand  concert  of  the  millions  of  the 
redeemed,  with  the  millions  of  the  unfallen,  like 
the  sound  of  many  waters,  will  pour  forth  their 
sublime  and  unceasing  hallelujahs  to  God  and  the 
Lamb! 

Thus  desirable  is  it  that  the  will  of  God  should 
be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven.  And  now,  in 
our  application  of  this  subject,  let  our — 

First  reflection  be,  the  sentiment  of  sympathy  for 
this  apostate  and  ruined  world.  When  we  see 
what  this  world  might  become;  how  blissful — how 
exalted — how  conspicuous  in  usefulness  and  joy — 
how  crowned  and  glorified,  and  how  subservient 
to  the  glory  of  its  great  Author!  and  when  we 
survey  it,  and  see  what  it  is;  how  vile  and  abject 
— how  dishonored  and  accursed — and  how,  instead 
of  displaying  abroad  his  glory,  it  brings  shame  and 
reproach  on  its  mighty  Maker;  our  “eye  aflecteth 
our  heart.”  It  is  a world  fallen  by  its  iniquity, 
and  under  the  wrath  and  curse  of  God.  It.  is  a 
mass  of  loathsome  and  corrupted  wretchedness, 
and  covered  with  the  pall  of  death.  It  is  a world 
prostrated  by  its  own  degradation  and  wickedness, 
and  sunk  in  pollution  and  guilt.  Survey  the  char- 
acter and  condition,  the  abjectness  and  misery,  of 
men,  as  they  rise  before  you  even  in  the  present 
state  of  existence.  What  indifference  to  God — 
what  practical  atheism — what  polytheism  and  idol- 
atry— and  what  subversion  of  religion  and  moral 
order  overspread  the  nations!  What  sottish  ig- 
norance— what  deep  degradation — what  disgusting 
habits — what  revolting  and  horrid  rites  and  cere- 
monies— what  depraved  passions  and  shocking 


21 


immoralities — what  unnatural  cruelties — what  ob- 
scenity and  blood — and  what  consequent  wretch- 
edness and  woe  disfigure  the  aspect,  and  mar  the 
form  of  human  society!  And  then  lift  the  veil 
and  look  into  eternity.  “Know  ye  not  that  the 
unrighteous  shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
God?”  Ah!  what  miseries  are  entailed  upon  such 
a race  of  offenders,  beyond  the  grave!  How  for- 
lorn, solitary,  and  desolate  their  condition!  How 
bewildered  and  hopeless!  What  gloom  and  terror! 
What  an  existence  replete  with  agony!  What 
devouring  fire!  What  weeping,  wailing,  and 
gnashing  of  teeth! 

It  is  affecting  to  look  back  upon  the  history  of 
the  world,  and  measure  the  centuries  that  have 
gone  by  since  God  gave  up  the  heathen  to  a repro- 
bate mind.  Although,  since  the  incarnation  of  his 
Son,  the  Gentile  nations  have  been  the  peculiar 
objects  of  his  love,  yet  even  now,  eighteen  hundred 
years  after  the  apostles  were  expressly  and  divinely 
directed  to  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,  six 
hundred  millions  of  immortal  and  accountable  be- 
ings are  living  and  dying  without  God  and  with- 
out hope.  “Darkness  covers  the  earth , and  gross 
darkness  the  people.”  O it  is  the  shadow  of 
death!  It  is  a deep  reflection  from  the  dark  world 
of  perdition.  Some  spots  there  are  refreshed  with 
heavenly  verdure,  but  they  are  “few  and  far  be- 
tween,” and  the  wearied  eye  seeks  them  almost 
in  vain.  Romanism,  Mohammedanism,  and  pa- 
ganism, constitute  the  religion  of  four-fifths  of  the 
human  race.  Even  in  Europe,  modern,  enlight- 
ened, Christian  Europe, — that  “garden  of  knowl- 


22 


edge  and  pleasure,” — may  be  found  many  a moral 
desert — bleak  and  extensive  wastes — territories 
and  kingdoms  both  barbarous  and  cultivated,  grown 
over  with  thorns  and  briers,  where  scarcely  a 
plant  of  righteousness  shoots  above  the  ground,  or 
a clod  is  turned  for  the  harvest.  If  you  turn  to 
Asia, — that  land  of  fertility  and  fragrance,  of  early 
revelations  and  richest  promise, — that  land  of  mar- 
tyrs and  birth-place  of  the  Savior, — there  are 
Turkey,  Tartary,  China,  Hindoostan,  India  be- 
yond the  Ganges,  Persia,  Arabia,  Siberia,  and  the 
Indian  Archipelago, — in  a word,  that  whole  land, 
from  Nova  Zembla  to  Siam,  and  from  the  Dead 
Sea  to  the  Eastern  Ocean,  a territory  containing 
two-thirds  of  the  population  of  the  globe,  almost 
wholly  covered  with  the  veil  of  pagan  darkness, 
turned  aside  after  the  fables  of  the  false  prophet, 
or  enticed  by  the  lying  wonders  of  the  man  of  sin. 
And  when  you  cast  your  eyes  to  Africa, — from  the 
shores  of  Barbary  to  the  cape  of  Good  Hope,  and 
from  the  Red  Sea  to  the  Atlantic, — there  is  little 
else  than  one  wide  scene  of  moral  desolation, 
where  idolatry  and  superstition  reign  triumphant 
among  every  tribe.  And  upon  more  than  three- 
fifths  of  the  American  continent  scarcely  a ray  of 
divine  light  has  as  yet  descended.  Over  all  these 
regions  the  prince  of  darkness  extends  his  merciless 
dominion.  With  the  exception  of  a few  narrow 
zones  of  light,  his  dark  and  iron-hearted  empire 
enwraps  the  globe.  What  a pitiable  and  humiliat- 
ing sight!  What  a desert  world!  What  a cloud 
of  darkness,  whose  shadow  is  lengthened  onward 
far  as  the  eye  can  see!  Alas,  that  such  a picture 


23 


should  ever  be  realized  in  the  moral  prospect  of 
the  world  for  which  the  Savior  died!  “Oh  that 
my  head  were  waters , and  mine  eyes  a fountain  of 
tears!”  When  mighty  Redeemer,  Oh  when,  thou 
once  suffering,  but  now  reigning  prince!  when 
shall  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  become  the  king- 
doms of  our  Lord  and  his  Christ!  But  while  we 
are  constrained  to  take  such  a survey  of  the  moral 
aspect  of  the  world,  our  subject  suggests, 

2.  The  ground  of  hope  for  its  recovery.  Our 
blessed  Lord  instructed  his  disciples  to  pray,  “Thy 
will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven!”  This 
petition  implies,  that  it  is  his  purpose  to  convert 
the  heathen  nations.  Though  as  early  as  the  days 
of  Abraham  he  had  given  them  up  to  judicial 
blindness,  yet  did  he  promise  the  father  of  the 
faithful,  that  “in  him  all  the  families  should  be 
blessed.”  Though  during  the  whole  of  the  Jewish 
dispensation,  he  separated  his  people  from  all  in- 
tercourse with  them,  and  denied  them  the  means 
of  grace,  yet  in  the  most  prosperous  state  of  that 
exclusive  dispensation,  he  said  to  his  Son,  “Ask 
of  me,  and  I shall  give  thee  the  heathen  for  thine 
inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth 
for  thy  possession.”  In  accordance  with  this  pro- 
mise is  the  prediction  to  the  ancient  church,  “Be- 
hold my  servant,  whom  I uphold;  mine  elect,  in 
whom  my  soul  delighteth;  I have  put  my  spirit 
upon  him;  he  shall  bring  forth  judgment  to  the 
Gentiles /”  and  the  still  more  explicit  and  pregnant 
announcement,  “All  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall 
remember,  and  turn  unto  the  Lord,  and  all  the 
kindreds  of  the  nations  shall  worship  before  him.” 


24 


And  what  has  the  world  beheld  in  the  retrospect 
of  the  past  eighteen  centuries?  The  covenant  of 
exclusion  abolished,  and  the  excision  of  the  Jews 
for  the  purpose  of  converting  the  Gentiles.  And 
what  will  future  ages  behold?  The  conversion  of 
the  Jews,  for  the  still  more  extended  conversion  of 
the  Gentiles.  “Have  they  stumbled  that  they 
should  fall?  God  forbid!  But  rather  through 
their  fall,  salvation  is  come  to  the  Gentiles.  For 
if  the  casting  away  of  them  be  the  reconciling  of 
the  world,  what  shall  the  receiving  of  them  be,  but 
life  from  the  dead?” 

Dark  as  is  the  prospect,  therefore,  when  we  look 
abroad  upon  the  world,  the  few  rays  of  light  that 
pierce  the  gloom,  like  the  pale  twilight  of  the 
morning,  are  destined  to  shine  more  and  more 
unto  the  perfect  day.  This  moral  midnight  shall 
be  scattered,  and  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  arise 
with  healing  in  his  beams.  The  hard  and  barren 
clod  shall  be  broken  up,  and  the  fields  shall  gradu- 
ally become  white  to  the  harvest.  When  from  his 
lofty  elevation,  John  beheld  the  future  glory  of  the 
church,  he  saw  an  angel  flying  through  the  midst 
of  heaven,  having  the  everlasting  gospel  to  preach 
to  them  that  dwell  on  the  earth.  Here  are  the 
hopes  of  this  perishing  world;  here  that  moral 
transformation  is  to  be  sought  for,  by  which  fallen, 
sinning  man  becomes  obedient  and  holy.  The 
gospel  is  destined  ultimately  to  illumine  and  re- 
generate the  race.  The  gospel  is  the  “wisdom  of 
God  and  the  power  of  God  to  salvation.”  The 
gospel  can  effectually  reform  the  moral  character 
of  men.  Never  has  this  mighty  agency  been 
brought  to  bear  upon  the  minds  of  men  in  vain; 


25 


and  it  never  will  be.  Like  the  Spirit  of  God 
moving:  upon  the  face  of  the  waters,  it  broods  over 
this  moral  chaos;  gives  form,  order,  and  beauty,  to 
the  shapeless  mind,  and  creates  all  things  new. 
There  is  hope  for  the  recovery  of  this  apostate 
world.  Our  Emmanuel  is  on  the  throne.  His 
heart  of  love  is  bound  up  in  this  glorious  consum- 
mation. Much  has  he  accomplished  within  a few 
short  years  just  gone  by.  A mighty  work  is  he 
now  urging  forward,  in  preparing  the  nations  to 
receive  his  gospel,  and  preparing  a race  of  men  to 
go  up  upon  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  earth,  to 
make  it  known  to  every  kindred  and  tribe.  The 
mountains  of  difficulty  are  becoming  a plain;  the 
walls  of  separation  in  the  church  of  God  are  melt- 
ing away;  the  imbedded  prejudices  of  the  heathen 
world  are  crumbling  to  pieces;  the  deep  founda- 
tions of  Paganism  are  breaking  up;  and  the  lights 
of  philosophy  and  false  religions  seem  sometimes 
to  be  emitting  their  last  sickly  and  cloudy  beams; 
while  He,  who  is  the  “light  of  the  world,”  and 
left  his  native  orbit  to  illumine  this  far  distant  and 
benighted  sphere,  is  destined,  ere  long,  to  be  a 
“light  to  lighten  the  Gentiles,  and  the  glory  of  his 
people  Israel.”  Take  the  Bible  in  your  hands, 
my  brethren,  and  go  to  the  top  of  Calvary,  and 
these  clouds  that  settle  upon  the  nations  shall  pass 
away.  Oh,  animating,  transporting  view,  when 
the  Redeemer  shall  see  of  the  travail  of  his  soul, 
and  be  satisfied!  Behold  here  how  the  north  gives 
up,  and  the  south  keeps  not  back.  See  how  his 
sons  come  from  far,  and  his  daughters  from  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  overspreading  the  heavens  as  a 
cloud,  and  flying  as  doves  to  their  windows.  See 
4 


26 


the  subjects  of  this  redemption,  assembling  from 
every  age  and  clime,  every  nation  and  people, 
every  kindred  and  tongue,  all  “washed  and  sancti- 
fied, and  justified  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
and  by  the  Spirit  of  our  God;”  and  all  returning 
with  songs  and  everlasting  joy. 

Courage,  then,  ye  who  love  the  heathen.  “The 
glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  revealed,  and  all  flesh 
shall  see  it  together.”  Ye  “shall  go  out  with  joy, 
and  be  led  forth  with  peace;  the  mountains  and 
the  hills  shall  break  forth  before  you  into  singing, 
and  all  the  trees  of  the  field  shall  clap  their 
hands.” 

3.  In  view  of  this  subject,  shall  we  not  appre- 
ciate and  magnify  the  missionary  enterprise?  Our 
text  obviously  contemplates  the  work  of  missions. 
When  it  was  uttered,  a mere  handful  of  Jews  had 
embraced  the  gospel.  But  the  adorable  Master 
had  his  eye  fixed  on  a course  of  exertions,  that 
should  extend  his  kingdom  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 
He  knew  it  was  a kingdom,  destined  to  prevail 
over  all  the  powers  of  darkness,  and  to  remain  in 
perpetual  and  growing  splendor,  when  other  king- 
doms shall  pass  away.  Hence,  when  he  requires 
his  people  to  pray,  that  “his  kingdom  may  come,” 
as  the  only  means  and  evidence  of  its  advance- 
ment, he  requires  them  to  pray  that  “his  will  may 
be  done;”  nor  do  they,  or  he  expect  that  this  glori- 
ous empire  will  sway  its  sceptre  over  all  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  men,  until  “his  will  is  done  on 
earth  as  it  is  in  heaven.” 

How  grand,  therefore,  how  sublime  and  exalted 
is  the  missionary  enterprise!  To  establish  and  ex- 
tend the  kingdom  of  his  Son — a kingdom  of  light 


27 


and  love,  of  truth  and  grace,  of  holiness,  peace  and 
joy;  till  it  embrace  the  remotest  tribe  and  habita- 
tion of  men, — what  a godlike  enterprise  is  this! 
This  is  the  object  which  He  who  dwells  in  the  high 
and  holy  place,  and  inhahiteth  eternity,  had  in  view 
when  he  spread  out  the  heavens  as  a curtain,  and 
the  earth  as  a tent  to  dwell  in!  For  this  he  still 
upholds  and  governs  the  universe  he  has  made. 
For  this  he  gave  his  Son  to  die.  For  this  his  Spirit 
dwells  among  men.  For  this  he  has  constituted  a 
church  in  the  world.  For  this  he  has  revealed  his 
word.  For  this  he  has  established  the  ministry  of 
reconciliation,  and  given  them  the  commission — 
“Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel 
to  every  creature.”  There  is  no  work  so  grand 
and  glorious  as  this — in  the  purity,  disinterested- 
ness, and  greatness  of  its  aims — in  the  obstacles 
and  difficulties  it  has  to  contend  with — in  the 
means  which  are  necessary  to  its  success — in  the 
toil  and  self-denial  with  which  it  is  carried  forward 
— in  the  interests  w hich  are  subservient  to  its  ad- 
vancement— in  the  loftiness  and  sublimity  of  its 
moral  associations — in  its  amazing  extension  and 
perpetuity — in  its  certain  and  everlasting  triumphs 
— and  its  final  rewards.  It  is  an  object  that  ought 
to  take  strong  hold  of  the  mind  and  conscience. 
It  is  worthy  of  intense  thought,  and  the  strongest 
and  most  ardent  affections.  It  is  one  of  those 
grand  and  stupendous  objects,  which,  when  once 
we  give  to  it  a steady  and  fixed  attention,  has 
weight  and  influence  enough  to  fill  and  engross, 
absorb,  transport,  and  transform  the  soul. 

Need  we  plead  with  you  then,  my  brethren,  for 
a deeper  interest  in  this  great  enterprise?  We  are 


28 


debtorsto  the  heathen.  Neither  Britain  nor  Amer- 
ica has  done  her  duty  to  the  pagan  world.  The 
providence  of  God  is  opening  before  these  churches 
numerous  and  extensive  fields  of  missionary  labor, 
demanding  a great  and  immediate  increase  of  men 
and  means,  and  urging  us  to  occupy  them  with  the 
least  possible  delay.  Men  there  are,  who  ought  no 
longer  to  hesitate  in  consecrating  themselves  to  this 
work.  Men  of  the  deepest  piety,  the  soundest 
judgment,  the  best  talents,  and  the  most  varied  and 
extensive  learning,  which  the  church  can  furnish; 
men,  who  are  moved  by  the  cries  and  distresses  of 
the  heathen;  men,  whose  love  of  country  gives  way 
to  their  love  of  the  world, — must  be  found  in  great 
numbers,  else  ages  of  darkness  will  yet  fulfil  their 
“tardy  and  disastrous  course”  over  the  world. 
Which  of  us  is  duly  sensible  of  the  relation  he  sus- 
tains to  the  souls  of  the  heathen?  What  have  we 
done  that  is  at  all  commensurate  with  their  claims? 
What  have  we  suffered,  in  what  have  we  denied 
ourselves,  that  the  gospel  might  have  free  course 
and  be  glorified  throughout  the  earth?  O could 
the  spirits  of  Ziegenbalgh  and  Swartz,  Elliot  and 
Brainerd,  Milne  and  Hall,  Worcester  and  Evarts, 
bend  from  their  thrones,  in  what  tones  of  rebuke, 
solicitude,  and  expostulation,  would  they  entreat 
these  blood-bought  churches,  for  the  love  of  Jesus, 
to  remember  the  perishing  heathen! 

What  shall  I say?  Who  can  tell  if  some  poor 
Pagan  is  not  this  day  struggling  for  the  assurance 
of  a happy  immortality,  who  “through  your  mercy 
might  have  obtained  mercy.”  To  the  hopes  of  the 
dying  believer  he  is  a stranger.  He  never  dwelt 
in  a Christian  land.  He  never  heard  a sermon,  nor 


29 


saw  a Bible.  He  knows  not  that  the  blood  of 
Jesus  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  No;  he  is  the  victim 
of  a dark  and  dreadful  idolatry!  Around  his  bed 
of  death  gather  the  shades  of  an  impenetrable 
night.  Over  his  prospects  for  eternity  are  collect- 
ed heavy  and  dense  clouds  of  unappeased  indigna- 
tion. Approach  and  see.  His  bosom  is  torn  and 
distracted  with  anguish.  His  lips  quiver  with  ag- 
ony, and  he  draws  his  last  gasp  in  despair!  And, 
O that  it  were  one  solitary  Pagan  only!  But, 
think  of  twenty-jive  millions  of  your  fellow-men, 
every  year  sinking  in  such  a death;  and  then  look 
into  that  deep  abyss,  where  millions  after  millions 
of  years  roll  on,  and  the  miserable  sufferers  en- 
counter new  dangers — new  fears — new  scenes  of 
anguish,  without  any  prospect  of  termination;  and 
what  emotions  of  grief,  abasement,  and  horror, 
may  smite  our  bosoms!  “We  are  verily  guilty 
concerning  our  brother.”  Here  are  miseries  w hich 
our  faithfulness  might  have  relieved.  But  for  our 
guilty  slumber,  multitudes  of  these  immortal  beings 
might  have  been  trained  to  a happy  immortality. 
Excruciating  thought!  O immeasurable  responsi- 
bility! because  the  remedy  for  these  woes  is  in  our 
hands.  Sin  infinite!  to  be  washed  away  only  by 
atoning  blood.  I add, 

4.  Our  subject  enforces  the  importance  of  prayer 
for  the  missionary  cause.  Our  blessed  Lord  would 
have  us  remember  this  cause  every  day  w e live. 
You  see  from  the  place  our  text  holds  in  the  form 
of  prayer  he  taught  his  disciples,  that  he  would 
have  us  give  it  precedence  to  the  petition  for  our 
daily  bread,  and  even  for  his  pardoning  mercy. 


30 


I know  of  no  truth  more  important  to  a body  of 
men  engaged  in  the  missionary  enterprise,  than  the 
absolute  dependance  of  missions  on  God.  I know 
of  no  sentiment  worthy  of  being  engraven  in  broad- 
er and  deeper  characters  on  the  bosom  of  every 
missionary  than  this, — “Not  by  might,  nor  by 
power,  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts!” 
God  himself  is  the  secret  spring,  the  original 
mover  of  the  whole  design.  From  the  days  of  the 
apostles  to  the  present  hour,  his  invisible  hand  set 
the  whole  machinery  in  motion.  These  designs  of 
mercy  to  the  heathen  are  of  no  earthly  origin;  and 
the  entire  success  of  them  depends  on  him  who 
gave  them  birth.  His  providence  must  smile,  or 
the  most  benevolent  plans  will  be  defeated.  His 
Spirit  must  be  poured  from  on  high,  or  the  heathen 
world  will  remain  still  dead  in  sin,  and  grope  their 
way  to  eternity  through  gloom  dark  as  midnight. 
There  is  every  thing  to  throw  the  cause  of  missions 
absolutely  into  the  hands  of  God.  Mere  human 
influence  can  never  subdue  the  stupid  lethargy,  the 
inexorable  habits,  the  imbedded  depravity  of  the 
pagan  mind.  There  are  most  disheartening,  most 
overwhelming  obstacles  at  every  step.  And  God 
will  not  give  his  glory  to  another.  If  we  attempt 
the  subjugation  of  this  world  to  its  rightful  Prince, 
rather  by  our  own  policy  and  prowess  than  his 
presence  and  power,  we  shall  be  compelled  to  feel 
our  insufficiency.  Whether  the  cause  decline  or 
prosper,  its  friends  must  be  driven  to  their  knees. 
They  must  stretch  out  their  hands  unto  God;  they 
must  lie  on  their  faces  at  his  throne.  This  is  their 
confidence.  “Prayers  and  pains  through  Jesus 
Christ,”  said  the  devoted  Elliot,  “can  do  any 


31 


thing.  Other  sentiments  will  rouse  men  from 
their  stupidity;  will  kindle  a momentary  zeal;  will 
excite  a Hush  of  animal  feeling;  will  commend 
their  cause  to  the  enthusiasm  of  a popular  assem- 
bly: this  will  give  them  power  w ith  God. 

I wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  enforce,  as  I 
desire,  the  importance  of  prayer  for  the  cause  of 
missions.  My  respected  fathers  and  brethren, 
shall  we  not  carry  this  cause  with  new  fervor  to 
the  throne  of  grace?  We  cannot  hope  too  much 
from  God.  Copious  showers  of  divine  grace  upon 
the  heathen  will  be  poured  forth  as  soon  as  a spirit 
of  supplication  is  copiously  poured  forth  upon  the 
churches.  Missionaries  die  and  become  the  prey 
of  savage  men,  for  the  want  of  prayer  in  the 
churches  at  home.  It  is  a melancholy  fact,  that 
the  number  of  conversions  in  heathen  lands  does 
not  bear  a due  proportion  to  the  amount  of  effort 
in  the  missionary  enterprise,  and  for  the  want  of 
prayer  in  the  churches  at  home.  It  is  a lamenta- 
tion, that  the  special  occasion  set  apart  for  such 
prayer  are  so  little  regarded  by  the  professed 
friends  of  Jesus  Christ.  It  is  one  of  the  dark 
signs  of  the  times.  One  of  the  melancholy  proofs 
that  the  day  of  millennial  glory  is  not  very  near, 
is  the  little  interest  which  is  taken  in  those  pre- 
cious seasons  of  united  and  special  supplication, 
for  the  conversion  of  the  heathen.  Were  Paul  to 
rise  from  his  grave,  and  visit  these  churches,  one 
of  the  first  privileges  he  would  seek  to  enjoy, 
would  be  the  monthly  concert  of  prayer  for  the 
heathen.  Were  Jesus  Christ  again  to  descend 
into  our  world,  I am  persuaded  he  would  never 
absent  himself  from  this  season  of  prayer.  The 


32 


heathen  can  scarcely  be  said  to  be  furnished  with 
the  means  of  grace  and  salvation,  until,  in  addition 
to  the  gospel,  they  have  the  prayers  of  the  people 
of  God.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  such  men 
as  Brainerd  and  Martyn,  Vanderkemp  and  Morri- 
son, when  they  came  nearest  to  the  throne,  offered 
the  most  fervent  prayers  that  ever  went  forth  from 
their  lips  for  the  perishing  heathen. 

But  I have  done.  Whatever  you  withhold  from 
this  cause,  my  Christian  hearers,  withhold  not  your 
prayers.  The  glory  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  your  own 
edification,  peace  and  comfort,  are  deeply  involved 
in  this  single  duty  of  prayer  for  the  heathen. 
Your  neglect  of  this  duty  is  felt  in  pagan  lands; 
and  your  humble  and  earnest  interest  in  it  is  felt 
there.  In  your  seasons  of  sweetest  intercourse 
and  greatest  enlargement  at  the  mercy-seat,  there- 
fore, give  the  heathen  a place  in  your  affections. 
Our  obligations  to  labor  and  pray  for  them  will 
not  cease  till  we  die.  Few  are  the  years  before 
our  seasons  of  toil  and  of  prayer  will  be  over;  and 
most  happy  will  that  man  then  be,  who  has  toiled, 
and  given,  and  suffered  most  for  this  sacred  cause; 
and  who,  if  denied  this  privilege,  has  daily,  hum- 
bly, and  as  the  first  and  chief  of  all  his  desires, 
preferred  this  petition  to  the  throne,  “ Thy  will  be 
done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven /” 


